Contract list delayed as selectors sharpen blades

Australia’s selectors have another week to finalise fitting 34 players into 25 contract spots for the next 12 months. The 2008-09 deals expired on Friday and Andrew Hilditch’s panel is not expected to meet until the team’s limited-overs series concludes in the United Arab Emirates with a Twenty20 on Thursday.While the playing schedule is one reason for the delay – last year’s list was released on April 9 – another issue is the ongoing memorandum of understanding talks between Cricket Australia and the Australian Cricketers’ Association, which include player payments and responsibilities. The negotiations will determine the amount of money available to the squad.”Once the player payment pool is decided the individual worth of the players will be determined,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said. The 25 contract holders receive confidential rankings and over the past year the top earners, including the captain Ricky Ponting, collected more than $1 million before match payments. At the bottom rung the retainer was $180,000.Throughout the summer an unprecedented 11 players were upgraded to national deals after appearing in the various sides, which suffered regular injury problems while undergoing a major regeneration. Those representatives, including Jason Krejza, Peter Siddle and David Warner, joined at the base rate and earned $15,000 for each full month they were on Cricket Australia’s books. In 15 Tests since last May, 25 players were used, including 11 debutants, while the same number of new faces appeared in the one-day team and another eight were welcomed in the Twenty20 outfit.Over the next week the selectors have to slash the current collection and ensure only 25 men check into the pre-season camp on the Sunshine Coast on May 24. Hilditch’s situation could have been even worse without the retirements of Matthew Hayden and Stuart MacGill, who were in last year’s initial intake. Players in danger of missing out following injury-interrupted campaigns include Phil Jaques and Ashley Noffke while Brad Hodge and Beau Casson have been overlooked throughout the summer.The delay in announcing the squad is not an immediate worry for Australia, but it has bigger implications on the domestic scene. “The issue is more relevant to state players as they have the ability to negotiate their contracts,” Paul Marsh, the ACA’s chief executive, said. “Until states know the size of the pool they have from which to pay players, they can’t realistically offer any contracts.”Marsh said the payment issue was the largest piece of the MOU negotiations. “Once this is agreed the rest should move reasonably quickly,” he said. “I can’t predict how much longer it will take.”While agreement on the player payment pool is a critical part of the process, it has not held up the announcement of CA contracts. The CA selectors can select the 25 players independent of determining contract values. Values are not subject to player negotiation, rather a formula based on the ranking of each player and the total amount for distribution to players.”Australia’s initial 2008-09 list Doug Bollinger (NSW), Nathan Bracken (NSW), Beau Casson (NSW), Stuart Clark (NSW), Michael Clarke (NSW), Brad Haddin (NSW), Matthew Hayden (Qld), Ben Hilfenhaus (Tas), Brad Hodge (Vic), James Hopes (Qld), David Hussey (Vic), Michael Hussey (WA), Phil Jaques (NSW), Mitchell Johnson (Qld), Simon Katich (NSW), Brett Lee (NSW), Stuart MacGill (NSW), Shaun Marsh (WA), Ashley Noffke (Qld), Ricky Ponting (Tas), Andrew Symonds (Qld), Shaun Tait (SA), Adam Voges (WA), Shane Watson (Qld), Cameron White (Vic).Additional contract holders Jason Krejza (Tas), Peter Siddle (Vic), Nathan Hauritz (NSW), David Warner (NSW), Andrew McDonald (Vic), Phillip Hughes (NSW), Bryce McGain (Vic), Marcus North (WA), Callum Ferguson (SA), Brett Geeves (Tas), Ben Laughlin (Qld).

Klokker keeps his hopes up for WCQs

Denmark captain Freddie Klokker is determined his team will work hard and focus intently on the World Cup Qualifiers (WCQs) which gets underway in South Africa from April 1. “We have obviously got to be realistic and will take one game at a time but we are going to South Africa with high hopes,” Klokker said.Placed in Group B alongside Kenya, the Netherlands, Bermuda, the UAE and Afghanistan, Klokker was quietly confident about Denmark’s chances of making it to the 2011 World Cup. “We have Afghanistan in our first game and if we can get a victory there and if we get another one in the second, we are looking to be in the Super Eight, and we will take it from there,” he said.Klokker, 26, who has experience in county cricket while playing for Derbyshire, said he was “very excited” as the event was the biggest tournament that Denmark have played since four years ago.At the previous tournament, held in Ireland in 2005 (it was known as the ICC Trophy then), Denmark were handed a 103-run defeat by Namibia and finished eighth among the 12 teams, but Klokker is hopeful of a better showing this time and believes that World Cup qualification would have a positive effect on the sport back in Denmark.”It will be massive as it will be the biggest achievement the country has ever done and it will be amazing,” Klokker said. “For us to do that it would boost the game, it would become popular, it would be coming in the news, and hopefully more and more young kids will start playing it.”A third-place finish at the European Championships in 2008, ahead of The Netherlands, showed the potential of the Danish side. They also recorded a 21-run win over Uganda during the World Cricket League Division 2 tournament in Namibia.Klokker, who carried his bat during an unbeaten 99 not out against the UAE during the event, believed that, since few expect Denmark to be a main contender at the tournament, it could work in their favour.”When there is no expectation, you can play with a mentality that you have nothing to lose and can play a lot more freely,” he said. “If we win the first two or three games in the competition, other teams will start taking notice and that will be a big boost for us.”Squad: Frederik Klokker (capt), Mickey Lund, Carsten Pedersen, Michael Pedersen, Morten Hedegaard Andersen, Thomas Hansen, David Borchersen, Henrik Hansen, Bobby Chawla, Max Overgaard, Rohit Kanaiya, Soren Vestergaard, Rizwan Mahmood, Basir Shah, Lars Hedegaard Andersen.

Leeds: Hay doubts January midfielder move

Leeds United are likely to wait until next summer to look for a new central midfielder, according to The Athletic’s Phil Hay. 

The lowdown

The Whites were linked with midfielders during the summer transfer window, with Huddersfield Town’s Lewis O’Brien and Cagliari’s Nahitan Nandez among the names mentioned. They didn’t sign one in the end, though, sticking with existing options Kalvin Phillips, Mateusz Klich, Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton.

Most of their £53m summer spend went on wingers Dan James and Jack Harrison and a left-back in the form of Junior Firpo.

The Whites had to wait until the seventh league game of the season to record their first victory and are hovering in 16th in the early Premier League table.

The latest

Hay was asked in a supporter mailbag for The Athletic whether there’ll be ‘any moves for a midfielder in January’.

“What else is there to talk about?” he wrote in reply.

“At least one other person took this further by asking whether a new centre-mid will be a priority next summer, to which the answer has to be “yes”.

“But January?” he added. “I’m not convinced the club will do much in January unless the league position is causing acute concern.”

Leeds’ director of football Victor Orta is apparently of the view that the mid-season window offers ‘poor value for money’, while the club are increasingly sceptical about whether ‘January arrivals work for Marcelo Bielsa’.

The verdict

It has been a rocky start to the season for Leeds, but by January they should hopefully have moved comfortably clear of trouble. As Hay says, that would make mid-season signings unlikely.

He added that the failure of a previous winter addition in Jean-Kevin Augustin, who made only three appearances at Elland Road, is something of a cautionary tale.

Leeds’ push for Europe may be delayed by the absence of a quality central midfielder in front of Phillips, but you could still argue that their approach is sensible.

In other news, Hay had this to say about Marcelo Bielsa’s future. 

Birmingham dealt Ivan Sanchez injury blow

Birmingham City have been dealt an injury blow ahead of their upcoming Championship clash.

What’s the latest?

Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, Lee Bowyer confirmed that Ivan Sanchez will be out of first team action for around four to six weeks, as the winger has undergone surgery on an injury to his pubis.

As cited by Birmingham’s official Twitter channel, the 44-year-old Blues manager said: “Ivan Sanchez has had surgery, he will be out for 4-6 weeks, everyone else is fine. We have no further injuries to report ahead of Friday.”

Bowyer will be gutted

While Sanchez has not featured all that much for Birmingham so far this season, most likely a result of his ongoing injury, the Spaniard’s absence will nevertheless have left Bowyer gutted.

Last season, the £1.08m-rated winger played an influential role at St Andrew’s, scoring two goals, registering seven assists and creating nine big chances over his 40 Championship appearances, as well as taking one shot and making 1.4 key passes per game.

The 28-year-old also put in a shift defensively, averaging 0.7 interceptions, 1.6 tackles and 0.2 clearances and winning 5.1 duels per league fixture.

These returns saw the £17.5k-per-week forward earn a highly impressive seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.05, ranking him as Birmingham’s second-best performer in the league.

As such, the loss of Sanchez for the club’s upcoming clash with Derby County is sure to come as a big blow to Bowyer.

However, with the manager also confirming that he has no new injuries to speak of, at least the former Charlton boss will have a number of options to choose from to replace the stricken Spaniard, with the Blues undoubtedly hoping they can continue their fine early season form against the Rams.

In other news: Bowyer drops Birmingham transfer claim which will be music to the ears of Blues fans

Liverpool fans react to Ben Davies comments

Liverpool defender Ben Davies has told The Mirror that he felt as if he had been ‘mentally released’ when he sealed a loan move to Sheffield United. 

The 26-year-old was ‘becoming aware’ that he was well down the centre-back pecking order at Anfield, even being as low as ‘fifth or sixth choice’, but the ‘promise of playing games’ for the Blades in the Championship has revitalised him.

Davies’ Liverpool struggle

Liverpool signed Davies from Preston North End in January in a £2m deal. Along with Turkey international Ozan Kabak, he arrived in the midst of a defensive injury crisis at Anfield, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip all ruled out for the remainder of the season.

However, the Englishman still didn’t see a minute of competitive action before the end of the campaign as Klopp demonstrated a preference for the likes of Kabak, Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams. In fact, his only outing for the Reds to date has come in a pre-season mini-game against VfB Stuttgart.

Liverpool fans express sympathy for Davies

Twitter fan feed Anfield Edition relayed Davies’ comments, and here’s what some Liverpool supporters made of the 26-year-old’s words.

“This lad was poorly treated”

Credit: @WouldBeScouse

“I felt sorry for him. Even when Kabak got injured didn’t get a look in. I hope he progresses well in his career”

Credit: @Perry06675126

“Genuinely feel for the guy, came into impossible circumstances, tried his best, wasn’t meant to be. Hope he does well at Sheffield”

Credit: @CosmoKhan

“This lad has been properly mugged off”

Credit: @Michael_LFC78

“Good lad, we done the dirty on him and he continued to be completely respectful. Hope he does well there”

Credit: @Ifcj__

“He was treated terribly tbf. He’s much better than Rhys and should have played his games”

Credit: @ShaunlfcT

In other news, many Liverpool fans reacted positively to this transfer rumour. 

Por chance no Brasileiro, Ceni pede para clube evitar vender jogadores

MatériaMais Notícias

Em alguns países da Europa, a janela de transferências abre nesta semana, e Rogério Ceni já faz um apelo à diretoria: evitar vender jogadores para o São Paulo ter chance de ir longe no Campeonato Brasileiro. O técnico teme que as negociações aumentem as carências do elenco.

– Temos de olhar bastante o que queremos no campeonato. Tivemos três saídas e falam do Rodrigo Caio, outros são sondados. Não sei como anda a parte financeira do clube, quais são as necessidades, mas temos de tentar segurar o máximo de jogadores possíveis para brigar pelo melhor no Brasileiro. – declarou.

O treinador usou exatamente o que ocorreu no triunfo por 2 a 0 sobre o Vitória, nesta quinta-feira, no Morumbi, para mostrar as necessidades do time: Maicosuel fez exames, assinou contrato na véspera e foi titular exatamente porque ele não conta mais com Luiz Araújo, vendido ao Lille, da França – neste ano, já tinham saído para a Europa o zagueiro Lyanco e o atacante David Neres.

– Alguns jogadores já saíram e o Maicosuel chegou ontem e já jogou pela necessidade. Temos jogadores chegando, voltando de lesão. O Araruna e Wesley estão voltando para a próxima semana e vamos ganhando corpo. Se for necessário vender, que seja na posição em que mais temos atletas – respondeu.

RelacionadasBrasileirãoNa estreia de Maicosuel, Thomaz e Pratto decidem para o São PauloBrasileirão08/06/2017BrasileirãoATUAÇÕES: Pratto e Thomaz ‘trocam’ assistências e são artilheiros da noiteBrasileirão08/06/2017BrasileirãoNúmeros da Bola: Estatísticas de São Paulo 2×0 VitóriaBrasileirão08/06/2017

Nas condições atuais, Rogério Ceni olha as categorias de base para manter a força do seu elenco. Ciente de que o volante João Schmidt assinou pré-contrato com Atalanta, da Itália, e sairá no próximo dia 30, o técnico tem utilizado Mlitão, zagueiro que também atua no meio-campo.

-Militão é um jogador que venho olhando desde novembro, na base, quando fiquei duas semanas em Cotia. Conversei na época e o senti imaturo. Passaram-se seis meses e, vendo a saída do João, vi nele jgoador com características de suprir sem ser necessário investir dinheiro. O talento dele é inegável, e a calma que joga faz com que tenha futuro brilhante no São Paulo. Infelizmente, não durará muito, porque tem muita qualidade e personalidade. Inclusive como volante. Mas está pronto para jogar.

Confira outros temas abordados por Rogério Ceni na entrevista coletiva desta quinta-feira, no Morumbi., após o triunfo sobre o Vitória:

Pratto
“Ser capitão não tem nada a ver com dinheiro, mas com atitudes, pela forma que ele se dedica em campo e se comporta fora dele. Pela experiência adquirida, pela grandeza de sua contratação e pelo que vem deixando em campo, é um modelo a ser seguido e, assim, se torna capitão. Outros jogadores no elenco, como Lugano, Maicon e Rodrigo Caio, têm capacidade de usar braçadeira. No momento, o Pratto é o ideal para capitanear.”

Análise do jogo
“Time jogou bem até fazer o primeiro gol. Bem consistente defensivamente, criando boas oportunidades no primeiro tempo. No segundo, quando estava difícil de penetrar, colocamos Militão no meio, abrimos dois pelos lados, colocamos Cícero para entrar na área com Pratto e fizemos o gol. Voltamos ao esquema e sofremos. Se tivéssemos mais calma, não teríamos sofrido tanto. Demos muito a bola ao adversário, que chegou com muito perigo. Nosso segundo gol saiu já nos acréscimos. Faz parte sofrer, mas nossa maior dificuldade foi a queda de rendimento após fazer o gol.”

Ânimo para o clássico de domingo
“É bom sempre chegar com vitória para jogar o clássico. Assisti ao Corinthians, fez um ótimo jogo, com placar considerável. Jogar lá é sempre difícil e complicado, jogamos há pouco tempo e empatamos. Acharemos sistema de jogo adequado e compatível para tentar a vitória. É uma tarefa difícil, é um time com confiança, quase 90% de aproveitamento, mas temos de tentar encontrar alternativas para dar aos jogadores a possibilidade de vitória.”

Lugano
“Tenho opinião formada sobre Lugano. É importantíssimo para nós como liderança. Não é titular por opção. Jogou sete jogos como capitão, por respeito e experiência que ele tem e causa perante os outros. É sempre banca um ídolo do tamanho dele, talvez o último construído no passado, a jogar no São Paulo. Independentemente do número de jogos que ele faça, o clube tem muito a ganhar com sua presença até o fim do ano;. Seria justo com o atleta ter um grande jogo festivo. É, provavelmente, o último campeão mundial a jogar pelo São Paulo até uma nova geração ganhar. Falo como alguém de fora. É possível e seria bacana ele estar aqui, não só pelo futebol. Mas não é uma decisão fácil nem simples. vai chegando a hora de tomar essa decisão, até para projetar se precisaremos de novo zagueiro. Gosto dele na sobra, como o Maicon, e não posso expor o Lugano no um contra um contra o Neilton, por exemplo. Não escalo tanto Lugano porque tem cara de muita qualidade que joga na mesma posição que ele, o Maicon. Por isso coloco Militão, por exemplo, leve e rápido que vai no um contra um. Mas, provavelmente, em breve, Lugano vai jogar. Sobre contrato, a diretoria que fale. Como companheiro e treinador, acho bacana encerrar o ano de trabalho com grande jogo, festivo, bacana. É merecedor.”

Satisfação com Thomaz
“Minha satisfação é com todos os jogadores. Se treinador bota jogador que deu assistência e fez gol, deu certo. Mas não vejo dessa maneira. Thomaz jogou contra Ponte e não rendemos tão bem. Achei impactante colocar Maicosuel onde está acostumado e mais rende. Imaginei que aguentaria só o primeiro tempo, mas tenho que dar ritmo, como fiz com o Wellington Nem.”

Maicosuel
“Vejo Maicosuel como uso hoje, como um 10. Diferentemente do Denílson, que é de beirada. Maicosuel é meia com boa chegada na área. É menos desgastante, fica mais próximo da área e consegue fazer essa função de falso 10 ou meia-atacante.”

O que esperar do clássico
“Que seja um grande jogo, como foram os outros. Nós nos enfrentamos na Flórida, atípico, e empatamos. No Morumbi, empatamos e, quando perdemos, pressionamos bastante, com eles no contra-ataque. Na Arena, 1 a 1. Há um equilíbrio. Vamos achar maneira de neutralizar jogadas. É um time muito consistente, mas vamos achar uma maneira. Vou ver todos os últimos jogos dele, passar uma tarde inteira para encontrar melhor formação e brecha para entrar na defesa deles.”

Sensação pós-Vitória
“Saio feliz por 60%, 70% do que apresentamos, e aliviado pelo segundo gol do Pratto, que definiu a vitória. Até o primeiro gol, fizemos boa partida, finalizamos mais. Depois, faltou calma, tranquilidade, para manter a bola no chão. Não estamos sabendo conduzir o jogo depois de fazer o gol e sofremos a pressão adversária.”

Novo Leandro Guerreiro
“O Leandro é um cara muito dedicado e muito bom jogador. Hoje, o Marcinho é o mais parecido, até de fisionomia, biotipo. Mas Leandro era muito dedicado, cumpria muita função em campo, voltava até a morte, fazia boa dupla de área. Fica na história por títulos e carinho.”

Denílson, do Avaí
“Denilson é para já. Pode desenvolver, sim, se precisar.”

Shaylon e Lucas Fernandes
“Shaylon e Lucas são muito bons de trabalho. Lucas um pouquinho à frente, e começaria hoje se Maicosuel não chegasse. Treinei a primeira parte com o Lucas. Pela necessidade de vitória, coloquei Maicosuel por ser mais ofensivo. Shaylon é ótimo, mas ainda é um pouco verde, muito menino.”

Vitórias apertadas em casa e derrotas fora
“Não foi com folga. A mesma falta de folga na vitória dentro tem acontecido na derrota fora. Perdemos em lances bobos e de fácil solução. Estamos vencendo em casa e muito próximos de conquistar pontos fora, mas cometendo erros primários. É muito próxima essa relação.”

Semelhanças com Carille
“Carille tem mais experiência lidando diariamente com os atletas, por ter sido auxiliar. Em contrapartida, tenho 25 anos dentro do campo, jogando futebol e sabendo reações, conhecendo os jogadores, principalmente na parte psicológica. Ele vem fazendo trabalho brilhante, só duas derrotas, o Corinthians entendeu bem como ele quer jogar, ótimo Paulista. Alguma boa virtude ele tem.”

LFC fans unhappy that Awoniyi was sold

A number of Liverpool supporters are frustrated that Taiwo Awoniyi was allowed to leave the Reds, following his excellent start to the season in Germany.

Jurgen Klopp’s men could only draw 1-1 at home to 10-man Chelsea on Saturday evening in what was a disappointing encounter at Anfield. The performance was good in patches, but as the minutes ticked by, Liverpool seemed to run out of ideas in the final third.

[freshpress-quiz id=“359326”]

There is a feeling that the Reds are one player short in attacking positions, with a new signing needed to freshen things up and provide more competition for playing time.

One player who could potentially have been an option is Awonoyi, but instead the 24-year-old was sold to Bundesliga side Union Berlin this summer, having never even played for Liverpool despite signing for them in 2015, being forced to undergo numerous loan spells due to difficulties obtaining a UK work permit.

The Nigerian has made a flying start to the season in the Bundesliga, scoring three goals in as many games, including a superb effort against Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.

[web_stories_embed url=”https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-liverpool-transfer-news/” title=”Latest Liverpool transfer news!” poster=”” width=”360″ height=”600″ align=”none”]

Liverpool fans unhappy with Awoniyi sale

These Liverpool fans have fumed at the club’s decision, taking to Twitter to say that Awoniyi could have been a perfect option in the squad.

Some supporters feel he would have been a better option than current Reds forwards Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino, who between them have scored five goals in 34 appearances for the club since the start of the 2020/21 campaign.

“Maybe he could have been the option”

Credit: @keswickbro

“Better than Origi and Minamino”

Credit: @LFC_Brett

“Didn’t even give the lad a chance”

Credit: @ThatRexGuyAgain

“So we didn’t give him a chance but kept Origi”

Credit: @97HassanM

“Why did we let him go and Origi survives”

Credit: @AChxmz

“Why didn’t we give this kid a chance?”

Credit: @Nvli_dvn

In other news, some Liverpool fans have hailed one player’s performance against Chelsea. Find out who it is here.

Woosnam drops major Benteke verdict after new contract

Crystal Palace journalist Matt Woosnam insists that Christian Benteke was not given the correct amount of service last season.

The Eagles endured a difficult season under manager Roy Hodgson, finishing in the mid-table mediocrity of 14th.

Benteke struggled for goals throughout the first few months of the campaign, scoring just six goals in the first 26 games of the campaign.

The Belgium international then enjoyed a flurry of goals, as he netted four times in his final four appearances of the season, and he has now signed a new two-year contract.

Woosnam thinks that the former Liverpool striker struggled at points because Palace simply decided against putting enough crosses into the box, for the big man in the area.

Of course, Benteke has been prolific previously, scoring 15 goals in 36 games in 2016/17 but since then he scored just six times in three seasons, prior to 2020/21.

And Woosnam said: “I think that was a really interesting one because you look at the reasons behind why he wasn’t scoring and it would be too easy to just point it at the tactics. It wasn’t just that but that definitely played a significant part in it.

“When I analysed the crosses that Palace put in, they crossed the fewest times, I think, of any Premier League club under Roy Hodgson and you look at the goals that he scored in his debut season for Palace and a lot of them were from crosses.

“They weren’t necessarily headers but they were from crosses. Everyone knows how good he is in the air, as well.”

Benteke will be hoping to hit the back of the net this weekend, when Palace take on Chelsea.

Stewart: Tottenham will be kicking themselves after Ings failure

Tottenham will be “kicking themselves” after missing out on Danny Ings to Aston Villa, claims the club’s former player Paul Stewart.

According to The Telegraph, Ings was Tottenham’s top transfer target this summer, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo looking to play another striker up front with Harry Kane.

However, the plan to make Ings that striker went out of the window when Villa, out of the blue last week, announced that they had signed the 29-year-old from Southampton in a £25m deal.

For Stewart, it is a development that would have left Nuno and Tottenham frustrated. On Ings’ move to Villa, he told TT:

“Nobody expected Ings to become a Villa player. I don’t think anyone predicted it, did they? I certainly didn’t. Maybe Spurs will be kicking themselves.”

Looking at Ings’ goalscoring record over the last couple of seasons, he probably would have been a good addition to this Tottenham side and a suitable strike partner for Kane.

If the north London club can manage to snap up Lautaro Martinez from Inter Milan, though, it is hard to imagine fans being too disappointed about missing out on Ings.

According to The Times, the Argentina international, who scored an impressive 17 goals in Serie A last season, is the forward Spurs are now hoping to deploy alongside their vice-captain.

Saints could move for Caleta-Car

According to Hampshire Live, Southampton could make a move for Duje Caleta-Car as they look to replace Jannik Vestergaard.

The Lowdown: Vestergaard set to leave

Vestergaard has completed a move to Leicester City (lcfc.com), which of course means Southampton will need another defender in the heart of Ralph Hasenhuttl’s team.

The back-line looked shaky to say the least in the opening weekend of top flight action, as Rafa Benitez’s Everton pounced on mistakes to rack up three goals at Goodison Park.

The Latest: Saints could move for Caleta Car

As per Hampshire Live, the Saints could make a move for Caleta-Car this summer.

West Ham (L’Equipe) and Tottenham (SportKlub) have previously been linked with a move for the Croatia international, but there has not yet been any concrete news in regards to his future.

The Verdict: Good option

Losing Vestergaard, who had grown in importance under Hasenhuttl after a shaky start, is a blow to the St. Mary’s Stadium outfit, but Caleta-Car would be a worthy replacement if they were able to make a move.

Valued at £22.5m (Transfermarkt), he was set to replace Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool (rousingthekop.com) when the Netherlands international was injured last year before a deal fell through (RMC).

He has won four league titles, albeit with Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, and he now plays for Marseille, one of France’s biggest and most historic clubs. He was a part of Croatia’s squad at the World Cup in 2018 as his country made the final, and he also featured at Euro 2020.

There is clearly some talent in there, and at 24 years of age, he has plenty of time left ahead of him to develop.

It remains to be seen what becomes of the defender, but the constant links to the Premier League suggest this one may be something to keep an eye on.

In other news, Southampton fans were livid with this man’s comments.

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